Removable Sports Base With Ground-Engaging Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baseball and softball base constructions are semi-permanently fixed to the ground, making them difficult to remove and reuse on different surfaces, lacking the ability to securely attach and detach without causing damage.
Innovation Solution
A base structure comprising a top structure and an insert with ground-engaging posts and base-engaging studs, allowing the insert to be easily secured and removed from the ground, with the studs aligning with bores in the top structure for secure attachment and vertical disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the support structure is fixed within the ground at a specific location, then the base structure achieves stability and resistance against lateral forces, but the base becomes difficult to remove and reuse on different ground surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure is divided into two separable components: a top base structure and an insert with ground-engaging posts. The insert remains fixed in the ground to provide stability, while the top base structure can be removed and relocated. This segmentation allows the stable component to remain stationary while the usable component is portable.
Solution Approach 2:
The top base structure is extracted from the fixed support structure through a disengageable attachment mechanism. The studs on the insert engage with blind bores in the top structure, allowing secure attachment during use but enabling removal when needed. This extraction resolves the contradiction by separating the permanent ground-anchored portion from the removable playing surface portion.
2Reliability
If the support structure is semi-permanently positioned at the base location, then the base achieves secure attachment to the ground, but it cannot be readily removed and reused on different ground surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The insert with ground-engaging posts serves multiple functions: it anchors the base securely to various ground surfaces (natural or synthetic) and enables easy removal and relocation. The universal design of the posts and attachment mechanism allows the same insert to be used across different locations and surface types, providing both secure attachment and adaptability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the base structure is designed for secure engagement with the ground surface, then stability is achieved, but the ability to yield and be displaced when sufficient force is applied is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism between the top base structure and insert is designed to be dynamically disengageable. Under normal play conditions, the studs securely engage the blind bores to provide stability. However, when sufficient force is applied (such as a player falling or colliding with the base), the attachment can disengage, allowing the top structure to yield and move away from the fixed insert, thereby preventing player injury.
Data Source
AI summary
A base or similar structure utilized in playing a sport is provided including a top base structure including a number of bores formed therein and an insert including an upper surface having a number of studs thereon engageable with the bores, and a lower surface including a number of posts thereon. The posts extend outwardly from the insert to securely engage the ground against horizontal or lateral forces exerted on the base.